Reviews from our 2nd release "The kid from Gillette, Wyoming"
There was a time not too long ago where you would turn on the radio and hear great rock music from bands like Better Than Ezra, Gin Blossoms, Stroke 9, etc… well if you, like me, were a fan of those bands and that era of rock music then you will instantly fall in love with the Campbells latest release "The Kid From Gillette, Wyoming." From album to album the Campbells keep on finding themselves and taking the good parts and making them great, such as the vocals and poppiness that you find in the guitar work on this album and it almost seems as if they listened to their last record and said this part sounds bad so let's not do that again. The Campbells are succeeding in bringing rock music back to where it ought to be and with this release I believe it is time for everyone to make a plea to your local radio stations to start spinning some of these songs. (JK)
Chicagos All Ages Zine
Fantastic power-pop rock with genius inflected guitar work is the name of the game when you speak of Minneapolis-based The Campbells. Led by the fiery J Campbell, the group threads the needle between alternative pop and indie rock. Balanced aural assaults are weighted with catchy chords and harmonic rustic vocal arrangements. Lyrically it’s a great tale that you’ll want to hear told over and over again. Smother Magazine
- J-SinThe Campbells place themselves firmly into the garage-rock midwest tradition, evoking a lot of ghosts of the past, while showcasing a very interesting song writing narrative. And they seem to be pretty successful at fitting it, as it is excellent punk-grunge-garage hyphen rock. With the sound of hard-rocking melodies, laden with acoustic southern rock-type elements but never slipping into ballad or bland, generic territory. Retaining the rocking edge through out even in the smoother almost folky-type moments.
Reviews from our 1st release "Pound on your boxes"
"Wow! When I read the bio for the Campbells I thought this may be a disaster and boy was I wrong. This is bouncy and fun music that when it is alternative driven reminds me of the catchiness of bands like The Screaming Trees and Soul Asylum (two of my faves of that era). While at other times, when this slows down I was reminded a lot of bands like REM from their hey day. There really isn't much to say about this record other that it is a must have for any fan of rock music. This has a bit of everything all rolled into one and for once someone has actually pulled it off without sounding terrible. It is a poppy driven record for the most part that makes you want to tap along and the vocals remind me a lot of the Violent Femmes which is yet another plus. I love this record and the Campbells are a welcome edition to my collection and they most likely will find a home in yours. A must have!"(JK)
Chicagos All Ages Zine
The Campbells might not sound like the name of a solo endeavor, but it is. The “band” is the brainchild of J Campbell, who plays all the instruments on Pound on Your Boxes except drums. A 15-year veteran of the Minneapolis music scene, Campbell draws on many influences, but his sound most closely resembles The Jayhawks or Neil Young.
Marked online music Brooklyn, NY
What do the Campbells sound like? Well, let's pretend that the Jayhawks decided to put out a new album. They called up Buffalo Tom to help out, and then checked to see what The Purrs were up to. Everyone went into the studio to pound on their boxes ("but not too hard, you could get hurt"), and ended up with a half-dozen twangy rock songs, including a protest against the treatment of American Indians (interesting side note: J Campbell was prophesied to be a singer by a Lakota medicine man). - meredith
75 or Less Records Rhode Island
"...With some 90's and late 70's rock influences, the music is a unique blend of days gone by and something that lingers out in the future, I dig it! Although "Sister" is the suggested track, there are many, many more treasures on this disc. Each track has something intriguing on it. "Too slight for thin" is very alluring and a perfect way to introduce the band. I love the thick guitars and the bass line that is just bouncing around like it owns the place. The drums have the same affect. And they don't stop there. It goes on with the enchanting sounds of "Fell into the Sun" and its upbeat greatness and fun harmonies. "Tried to pretend" offers gritty guitars and a late 60's vibe blended with early 80's college rock. "
- Kerry Gibson, - Shut Eye Records Atlanta, GA
"Indie rock cred is handed out after The Campbells finish you off with their dynamic new album “Pound On Your Boxes”. Predicted to be a singer by a Lakota medicine man, J. Campbell has been performing in and around the Twin Cities area for some 15 years. He spent seven summers on the Rosebud Indian reservation in South Dakota and not only did that help develop his world view (as evidenced by some of his songs circling the political climate of American Indian relations) but it gave him an earthy sense that gets injected into his music. You can hear a lot of Buffalo Tom and Sebadoh influence deeply interwoven in some of the tracks. The music is ladled with indie rock guitar-centric calamity while there are elements of folk rock and ‘60’s folk pop ala Dylan stirred in as well. "From Smother Magazine
Manassas, VA "Indie pop in much the same vein as R.E.M., Paul Westerberg, Hootie & the Blowfish and the such. Only this is a bit edgier than anything I’ve ever heard by Hootie & the Blowfish so that may not be a completely fair analogy. Campbells voice has a Neil Young flavor to it at times which works great on some of the harder rocking tracks like “Tried To Pretend”, “Rushmore” and the title track. I like it."From Ear Candy Mag
